ADHAPUSPI, Trichodesma indicum

Latin name: Trichodesma indicum

English name: Indian Borage

Sanskrit name: Adhapuspi

Indian name: Chhota Kalpa

Medicinal parts used: Whole plant

Indian Borage is an erect, spreading, branched, annual herb, about 50 centimeters in height, with hairs springing from tubercles. The leaves are stalkless, opposite, lanceolate, 2 to 8 centimeters long, pointed at the tip, and heart-shaped at the base. The flowers occur singly in the axils of the leaves. The sepal tube (calyx) is green, hairy, and 1 to 13 centimeters long, with pointed lobes. The flower tube is pale blue, with the limb about 1.5 centimeters in diameter, and the petals pointed. The fruit is ellipsoid, and is enclosed by the calyx. The nutlets are about 5 millimeters long, and rough on the inner surface.

It is found throughout India, on roadsides and stony dry wastelands, up to 1,500 m.